On Saturday at our AGM, two recipients of our Badge of Honour were confirmed, and these were Rita Montgomery and Rab Wardell.
Despite still cycling at the age of 91, Rita was understandably unable to make the late-night celebrations, but did join us at Hampden Park for our AGM. Here she received her gold badge, presented by Scottish Cycling President Kathy Gilchrist, before delivering a wonderful, humorous acceptance speech, sharing memories of yesteryear, her world titles and ‘sticking the half wheel on’.
During our Awards ceremony later in the day, Rab’s mother Gill, father Jack and brother David were on hand to collect the award on his behalf. After one of the longest standing ovations we can remember, Jack gave an emotional acceptance speech, as we once again recalled the impact Rab had, and continues to have, on our community.
Rita Montgomery
Rita is a Scottish Cycling trailblazer, having championed women’s cycling in Scotland long before it was popular or given parity. Many believe she was good enough to have competed in the Olympic Games but a brave decision – when she was at the peak of her powers – to look after her sick mother meant the Johnstone Wheeler had to put her cycling career on hold for several years.
It was only after she married fellow cycling enthusiast John Montgomery that she decided to saddle up for top-class cycling again. Rita went on to win two Veteran World Championship titles on the road and was a true pioneer of women’s racing in Scotland with eight Scottish Best All-round titles, as well as acting as a mentor and inspiration to many. She still rides her bike to this day, aged 91.
Rab Wardell
As we all know, Rab tragically passed away just a few months ago, his passing rocking the Scottish Cycling community and beyond. Rab is the most worthy of recipients of the Badge of Honour – it was noted on his nomination, “his legacy is already huge and has all the requirements for consideration for the honour.”
Rab was a friend of many, no matter your discipline or role in our sport. “Bikes are gid” he would say. An elite mountain biker who had just turned professional, Rab was a gifted cyclist no matter the bike he was riding, be that road, track, bmx or cyclocross.
Rab was also a coach, a former Scottish Cycling member of staff, and an advisor to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. He was a son, a brother, a partner, a friend and an all-round good guy, who just loved cycling and everything it offered to so many people, from all walks of life.
Mostly recently his incredible long-distance challenges and social media presence promoted mountain biking and cycling in Scotland, his positivity infectious.
In the words of another who nominated Rab:
“We say goodbye, but his work is still being delivered. The badge would mean such a lot to the whole cycling community here in Scotland, and further afield. He was a true honourable guy.”
Whilst it hurts that Rab is no longer with us, the fact that Rab’s racing career went full circle is something to cherish – winning his first senior Scottish MTB title just two days before his passing.
